19 Aug 2017

When Jesus invites us to die to ourselves, He is not referring to some pious act of self-sacrifice which will make us look or feel holy. No, He has something much more radical in mind. The kind of inner transformation Christ desires will literally rip the rug up from under our feet and shatter our world view. For the very brave, I suggest a quick method to facilitate this sanctifying process. Ask yourself, “Am I really Christ centred or do I live egocentrically, basically functioning psychologically the same as I did as an unbeliever?”

Shocked

When a spiritual director posed a similar question to me, I was shocked. His query was a verbal slap across my face, snapping me out of a spiritual fog.

11 Jul 2017

When we suffer in isolation for our own failings or act like a scapegoat who suffers as the result of others who sin against us, we like to think of ourselves as saintly martyrs, but our suffering is anything but holy and especially not redemptive. In fact, there is no act filled with more pride because we are in fact stealing Christ’s job. It takes humility to realize our miserable, self-inflicted suffering does not save anyone, least of all ourselves. The only way to become humble is to trust in God to save us because we realized our own efforts have failed.continue

12 Jun 2017

The Sin I Hate to Admit to is Envy

A few years ago I was sitting in a conference hall awaiting the next speaker. It was Jeff Cavins and he was coming up to speak about envy. I actually contemplated going to do something else for that hour because although I knew I had an occasional issue with jealousy, I was all set in the envy arena. OH my, was I wrong!! Probably why the Spirit sat me mid-row that day; and as I looked down the row and realized how many people I'd have to vault and navigate to leave, I decided to leave my bottom planted and listen.

23 Feb 2017

On February 22, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the importance of Christian hope in the face sin during his weekly General Audience. Although his reflections focused on the corruption of creation, they are not the opinions of a left-leaning environmentalist but the profound insights of a man of God.

The Environment

Unfortunately, many Catholics might overreact when they read the title of the pope's latest address, just like they did in September when Pope Francis said it was a sin to destroy the environment, turning it into ‘wasteland full of debris, desolation and filth’ and called for concrete action on climate change. Again, last year, his controversial encyclical on the environment, Laudato si’, seemed to upset some conservatives. However, if we do not react to sensational headlines but actually read the Pontiff's homilies, encyclicals and addresses on the environment in their entirety, we will unearth deep spiritual inspiration which stands on the pronouncements of his predecessors.

18 Jan 2017

Just like most people, I do not simply break a rule here and there; no, like every other human being, I continually break the most fundamental law of the universe without any conscious effort by refusing to accept reality. Instead of realizing my place in the universe, as one of God’s creations, I put on masks and false personalities in a vain attempt to deny my very nature. In pride, I act like a queen at the centre my own little world. Even worse, I steal God’s job by trying to save myself by my own efforts.

28 Oct 2016

I am living in a fantastical delusion when I see myself as the center of the universe, viewing everything as it circles around me. As believers, we sing and recite prayers that proclaim that God is the centre of all, but our psychological make-up screams the exact opposite. I view people, events, history and yes even God through my eyes, judging what is right, trusting my thoughts and my feelings as the final judge of what is real. When Jesus says that we must die to ourselves, He is not speaking about some pious self-sacrifice that makes us look holy, no He has something much more radical in mind. The kind of inner transformation Jesus wants to literally rip the rug up from under our feet and shatter our delusions, our world view.read more

17 Jun 2016

Jesus warned to not be like the scribes and Pharisees, “For they preach but they do not practice,” another way of looking at that, “practice what you preach.” Sadly, I can think of at least one (okay, who am I fooling really MANY more than one) example in our lives, either now or in the past, when this could be said about me.

However, as I read these words, I thought of something I am far more often guilty of, “I practice but I do not preach,” Instead of the ole' do as I say, not as I do, I have created my own version with do as I do, not as I fail to say. Which is fine, because as St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, "Pray the Gospel always, when necessary use words," but sometimes WORDS are necessary. As this lifelong Catholic, who has just in the last 10 years begun truly practicing her faith, has learned; Catholicism is a very rich and beautiful faith about which most people know very little. Those who have discovered it ought to be sharing its depth with others.

After years of being away from the Church, my husband and I felt drawn back in 1993. We were active in Church activities, but my faith was still very much on the surface. In 2004, I joined a bible study which transformed my relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Through the study of God’s Holy Word, my heart was opened to living a life of faith not just for one hour on Sundays but every moment of every day.Overtime, I shed my Pharisee ways, of .... read moreAll rights reserved, Allison Gingras 2016

23 Feb 2016

During Lent, God presents us with a fundamental choice. Will we choose to continue to live in our human illusions or will we allow God to reveal His reality to us? Will we cling to false pride or embrace true humility? All too often we think we are more humble than we really are, especially if we have been striving to grow spiritually for a long time.

The Pharisees were also earnest about their religious practices. As Christians, it is easy to denigrate the Jewish Pharisees, thinking we have risen above such behaviour because we live in New Testament times, no longer under the burden of the Old Testament Laws. However, before we judge these men too harshly, we should remember they were simply striving to be good, observant Jews. In their zeal, they inadvertently ended up seeking respect for themselves rather than inspiring love for God.

10 Feb 2016

Often we tend to think of Lent as a time to share in the suffering of Christ yet when we do so, we become morose and end up centering more on our own sacrificial devotions than on God.

Lent is a time to get rid of the flub in our lives but only so we are able to connect more to the Heart of our Beloved, more on the people around us who are in need. Lent is not an excuse for dramatic acts of fasting by wearing sackcloth and ashes, figuratively or literally. As Isaiah says:

3 Nov 2015

Squeaky Clean, a wealthy but honest businessman, was dissatisfied with life. Although he was a practising Catholic as well as an active member of his parish, God seemed far away. Even worse his inner spirit was withering. When he stumbled on a beautiful farm for sale, he just knew this was God’s answer to his dilemma. Surely a back-to-the-earth lifestyle would bring him closer to God.

Squeaky Clean worked long hours renovating the farmhouse, building barns, silos and fences, clearing brush and planting gardens. After a few years, his farm was charming and well-kept, a stark contrast to Sloppy Joe’s messy place just down the road. Neighbours marvelled because not only was his farm picture perfect.

16 Oct 2015

Over the centuries many Saints have told us how powerful the Rosary is, but they didn’t tell us why or how the Rosary makes such a change in our world. The following is an attempt at an explanation of the power of the RosaryThe Rosary is one of the most powerful tools of portable semi- exorcism and soul purification.Soul Purification:The Holy Rosary, if prayed with dedication, and singularity of heart, allows one that prays purification, a desire for the things of God's church which include the sacraments, and as God allows the soul will touch the edge of eternity in preparation for their judgment. How can one prepare for eternity, if we have no tangible concept of the Holy Realm? Can the finite touch the infinite? Yes, but only as God allows, for not by our own merit can man interact with eternity unless our hearts are aligned with God. God in His goodness has given us the Holy Sacraments of the Church as the way that a sinfully inclined man who will one day taste death experience the actuality of his own judgment. To read more... CLICK HERE

7 Mar 2015

Think again. When any one of us, whether a mother or not, refuses to give up control, we shut out the power of the Holy Spirit. In fact, we end up acting just like vacuum cleaners when it is God’s job to purify our family in His power, mercy and grace. He desires that we simply become conduits of His Love. It is by Christ’s suffering that mothers and their families are healed, not by the mother acting like a sacrificial lamb or a scapegoat like in the Old Testament.

But Hewas wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) continue reading

18 Feb 2015

May the things of this world fall away so I may fall in love with God.

God can only fill the empty places.Grace does what I cannot do.Jesus will have to do everything.This is true humility

Pride entices me to work harder, pray more, fast religiously, perform heroic acts of virtue. Humility accepts that only God can save me and other people.It is my job simply to surrender in prayer and give Him permission to flow through me. continue

4 Feb 2015

What is disturbing about this famous gospel passage about the reaction Christ receives in his hometown is Jesus’ neighbors admit He speaks with wisdom and He has performed great deeds. They are astonished, in fact, by His reputation.Yet they cannot admit His miracles and His words come from God. They sputter, “Where did this man get all this?” They know his family and He was a simple carpenter. So, they cannot even acknowledge His anointing as a prophet, never mind perceiving that He is the Son of God.

The key to their negative attitude towards Jesus is their pride. They are offended. Their pride shuts their hearts and souls to the truth. Perhaps their noses are out of joint because they are still ordinary. Ironically, it is precisely ordinary, little people who flock to Jesus and who are healed and loved and taught about the wonderful secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. However, it is little people who are humble, who are not offended by the ways of God who are able to receive from Jesus.continue

2 Feb 2015

A writing prompt once asked, “Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows). Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?”

Just like most people, I do not simply break a rule here and there; no, like every other human being, I continually break the most fundamental law of the universe without any conscious effort by refusing to accept reality. Instead of realizing my place in the universe, as one of God’s creations, I put on masks and false personalities in a vain attempt to deny my very nature. In pride, I act like a queen at the centre my own little world. Even worse, I steal God’s job by trying to save myself by my own efforts.

2 Sep 2014

I mentioned in my post a couple of weeks back about having hosted a potluck get-together most Fridays this summer. We just had our last one of the season a few days ago.

Issuing
this invitation was a huge step for me. Although I've often hosted
holiday meals and birthday celebrations, opening my home on a weekly
basis seemed next to impossible. Normally when hosting, I'd plan weeks
in advance what to cook and would go out of my mind trying to figure out
how to maintain company-clean amid daily life.

What
caused me to take the plunge and have people over almost every Friday? I
realized that it was the sin of pride, a lack of humility, and fear of
what I think someone might think of me that was holding me
back (and my family), from enjoying an even more rich and full life,
even in this small way. Sinful pride left me with little time and
energy to put on the mask of perfection when there wasn't a compelling
reason to do so.

The fine line between hospitality and entertaining has everything to do with our
attitude. Is our focus on ourselves and nurturing how we appear to
others or is our focus on our guests and nurturing them by anticipating
needs and tending to them?

31 Aug 2014

After nearly five hundred years, the Roman Republic had grown from a small city-state to a major world power: and it was a mess.

I'm not talking about the chronic SNAFUs perpetrated by America's Congress.

If America's government was like the Roman Republic's, we might see the House ways and means committee lead an armed assault on the Senate: while their assassins took care of a filibuster the hard way. Yes: things could be worse.